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Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.

And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction,

1 Thessalonians 5:12

Commentary

The leaders whom God places over His people are described by the phrase "those who labor among you," which is also rendered "those who work even when weary." These leaders possess the Lord's authority ("in the Lord"). God places them in a position to "admonish" or instruct believers. Paul commanded believers to love and honor their pastors ("those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord"). This support was not due to the pastor's personality but to his divinely assigned position and ministry (Heb. 13:7, 17).